Joint venture for hot-dip galvanizing proves a success

A joint event between Wedge Group Galvanizing and its steelwork contractor customer Had Fab, aimed at providing first-hand knowledge and guidance to industry professionals on the benefits of using hot-dip galvanizing is said to have been a success.

Newport Galvanizers (part of the Wedge Group) recently hosted an event in collaboration with Had Fab, which welcomed 15 construction interface engineers from National Grid.

Delegates were provided with the opportunity to learn about the galvanizing process from start to finish, including the preparation work required before treatment takes place, as well as an overview of its overall life cost and effectiveness in protecting steel against corrosion.

“We were thrilled to have hosted the team from National Grid,” explained Newport Galvanizers Sales Manager Mike Small.

“Wedge’s Technical Director, Bob Duxbury, provided our visitors with an in-depth presentation about how widely galvanizing can be used, from the large structural frameworks of buildings, through to access equipment and staircases, and smaller nuts and bolts.

“Although our guests already had an understanding of galvanizing, it was great to offer them some additional knowledge of how they themselves can support decisions with regard to accepting galvanized structures on site, and on some of the challenges that we can face in terms of size and shapes.”

Had-Fab Managing Director Simon Harrison, added: “Over 90% of the steel that we produce for our customers is galvanized. However, we believe that the process isn’t well understood by our customers in the power transmission and distribution sector, and so to raise awareness, we’ve been working with Wedge Group Galvanizing to organise open days for our customer, National Grid.

“This has resulted in dedicated events at Newport Galvanizers, Edward Howell Galvanizers, and Scottish Galvanizers, with another four scheduled to take place later this year.”